Rewards and punishments are the lowest form of education. -Chuang-Tzu,
philosopher (4th c. BCE)
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| Galiano! |
Hi Jo-Anne! Look forward to toasting the Boithday Boy, sometime after 4:00 pm, as I mentioned.
We celebrated 38 years of "unrelieved domestic bliss" this anniversary!
Flew to Victoria, from Coal Harbour, on Friday May 14th, 1976, to
Victoria to be married by a marriage commissioner at some provincial
office there. (Hippies that we deemed ourselves to
be then, we didn't even have wedding rings and official was going to
use his own gold band until Cora Lee turned ring I had had made for her,
(Lovely, friendly, helpful Chinese Librarian, [Can't recall his name,
I'm sorry to say, Lee something I think.),
at Asian Studies, then in Old Main Library, below Science Division,
drew Chinese symbol for "Love". He was a wonderful calligrapher. I took
this to a small jewellery shop, now gone, then on the corner of 10th and
Alma and had a silver signet ring made. Think
it cost under $20. Corinne still has it. I'll ask her to wear it on
Sunday!], around, signet side down, and we used that!
Furthermore, friend we had asked to be a witness was delayed in court.
The Assizes were on and Gordon, [Met him playing handball in Winnipeg in
1970's. He came home one day and his wife had left, apartment emptied,
nothing but his clothes remained, taking their
daughter. They were both from New Westminster so that is how he ended
up back on West Coast. He was a computer programmer and had come to
Manitoba to work on the implementation of Autopac, one of first, if not
the first, provincial car insurance programs.
When he returned to BC, to be closer to his daughter, he had no trouble
finding work with then fledgling ICBC.], had to appear for his divorce
proceedings that morning. Hearing was delayed and he had to return to
court so couldn't attend our secular ceremony.
His girlfriend, Sheila, was other witness so commissioner asked his
secretary to step in. He mentioned that she was used to doing this as
many other couples didn't have requisite number of witnesses either. Of
course, all this was made even more hilarious
given Ayn was along, at nine years old, and Corinne was very, very
obviously extremely pregnant, six months, with Chloë to be! On flight
over we could hear Ayn chatting to all the other passengers around her,
announcing, quite proudly, that her parents were
going to Victoria to be married!
It was the last day of my final BC Teacher's Certificate practicum, at
Killarney High, but I had made arrangements with my sponsor teachers and
UBC supervisor to finish up on Thursday. In an even more interesting
twist, I didn't discover until about 20 years
later that my English sponsor teacher, "Duke" Saunders, was the husband
of one of my Mom's nursing classmates from St Boniface in Winnipeg! At
the time we lived on 13th and Vine and once he learned that I took the
bus to school he very kindly picked me up
on the corner of 12th and Vine every morning after that. Years later,
as I mentioned, when Mom had moved to Vancouver, I dropped her off at
their home, somewhere in Point Grey, as there was a mini nursing reunion
there, and details of family emerged and I
made connection!
Anyway, quite a ride. Also, quite a coincidence that Rhoda, aka Ski,
should be in town around same time in May, as I met her a year or two
after I started working at Curric Lab. She was one of two or three
Student Assistants who shelved and worked at Circ counter.
And in another twist of fate, her eventual husband, Ron Maccormick, was
the paddling coach for close friend and neighbour, Michele Sutherland,
aka Flamin', when she was thirteen! She is from Dartmouth and when Ron
was doing a sabbatical at UBC, (He is an oncologist
and started the Oncology Clinic in Cape Breton.), I invited them for
dinner and included Michele and Wayne, aka Sarge, her husband, as he is
from New Glasgow. I thought the Nova Scotians would enjoy ganging up on
the Prairie Folk! Kismet continued and just
by chance, another member of paddling team, Heather, was in town for a
conference that weekend and once Flamin' realized who Ron was she
invited Heather as well so it was quite an unexpected re-union! We spent
ten days with Ski and Ron on St Martin last year
as he often teaches course there at the American University of the
Caribbean.
Guess you are sorry you asked how long we had been married! See you Sunday. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Some shots of our time in St Martin. Flamin' found "historical" ones of Ron last year when she was home for her Mother's
funeral. They were taken by one of the girls after a race.
Saturday morning funnies!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/78RrsepkQKA?rel=0
Hi Stanchion Man! I thought that you, of all people, whether on a
trike or a mountain bike, might have had a bit more sympathy for some
of these dopes! Guys with wheelbarrows must have seen your trike vid!
Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Steel Magnolia! Do apologize for this tardy reply. Trust you, Peter and Johan are well. We had been invited to Little Shushwap by friends, Ruth/Rick, from Squamish, for the
long weekend, first of summer, Victoria Day on Monday, but decided not to go. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Last night, sipping Long Table, (a
craft distillery just across False Creek, at foot of Hornby), Cucumber
Gin and Tonic!
Hi Biker Mom! Do apologize for this tardy reply. Glad you enjoyed card. Chocolate bars seem like poifect riding fare! At any rate, hope all continues to go well with you and your boys. Certainly would like to arrange another ride and/or dinner with you so let me know some dates we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Mother's Ruin! Do apologize for this tardy reply. Glad you enjoyed card. In fact, glass contains Long Table, (a craft distillery
just across False Creek, at foot of Hornby), Cucumber Gin and Tonic! You and Mick should pop by for a tasting and then come here for bridge! Certainly would like to arrange another bridge afternoon/evening with you two so let me know some dates that might work and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Teens! Do apologize for this tardy reply. Glad
you enjoyed card. Sorry to hear that you have not been well but glad
you are on the mend. Please remind me of what you are recovering from. At any rate, hope all continues to go well with you and Trevor. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Biker People! Do apologize for this tardy reply. Trust you are both well, especially after your epic cycling feats! Well done! Bravo!!! Will you be riding in the Tour de France? It begins in Yorkshire this year, as you probably know. Last year we were staying with friends, in Wetherby, near York, and I rode through some of the towns Tour will pass through this July.
At any rate, hope all continues to go well with you and Claire. Enjoy the rest of your wonderful holiday.
Really would have been great if you could have managed a stop-over in
Vancouver. Love to have seen you both. Fondestos from Cora Lee. She just
left for a walk along Seawall with friend Agneta. She has been a school friend of Corinne's since the
'60's, when they met in Steinbach, Manitoba, one of main Mennonite
farming communities in province! About an hour from where Corinne's
parents now live, at Falcon Lake, a provincial park, Whiteshell by name. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrick, Your writing is fantastic and thanks for bringing us up to date with goings on in sunny Canada. We are in Paris preparing for our next ride to London this has involved no exercise but plenty of eating and relaxing. Our first day of the ride is leisurely 74k out of Paris into the country side and starts Monday I certainly hope that Tony and Elly are enjoying their trip to the wild north. Cheers Greg and Claire .
et le mien aussi, si vous plaite. Guy
Hello gents, I have work that sunday evening so I will unfortunately miss out on all of the reverie and craftiness. by the way, since this is somewhat of a book club, for those of you don't know already, Chapters in Richmond is closing and EVERYTHING in there is 50% off!!! I just went there today and there is still a fair share of goodies left. They close on May 31st I believe, so get in there while you still can. Take care, VL
Hello Vittorino et al! Working with Jennifer Juniper, obviously! Cheers, Il Conduttore! oui! : ) VL Hi Vittorino and Jennifer Juniper! Nice work if you can get it! Cheers to you both, Il Cucumber Gin/Akvavit Conduttore!
Sounds as if you are busy
as usual. I have abandoned mick in vancouver and am scouring British
high streets for a substitute. Polly
Hello High Street High Society Gels!
I gather Raymond has suffered the same fate as Mick as Sylvia is on a similar mission. Cora Lee has had to settle for Admiral Barnacle, over for dinner this evening. Buona Fortuna with manhunt! Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Word is not to hurry back as both golf and garden call!
For my part I had a great ride out to Iona today. Weather
was supposed to cool with many showers but latter never materialized and
sun came out so it was a glorious day in the end. Didn't leave home
until just after 1:00 pm and had decided I'd do my usual Spanish Banks,
UBC, Marine, CSTB route. Since it was the first day of the long weekend
roads were pretty quiet, especially along SW Marine, making for much
more pleasant riding, of course. Fairly brisk wind out and back to Iona
itself but since it was from the south, more of a cross wind so not as difficult to ride against, for much of the time.
Once
I'd finished dipsy-doodling on Richmond side of Fraser I decided I'd
return via SW Marine as opposed to climbing back up Cambie. Have been
scoping out sidewalk complex under Arthur Laing Bridge, (one to YVR),
over last few rides here and felt I could use it to take me back to side
street, Milton, which leads to an industrial park off W 75th Ave.
I had
never actually ridden along 75th at this point but I suspected it would
allow me to connect with SW Marine, at some point. What I did find was
that once past the various business operations I encountered Fraser
River Park, a lovely expanse of open, grassy fields, dotted with
numerous wooded knolls threaded with walking trails along the river.
However, 75th itself doesn't connect directly with SW Marine so I had to
retrace my steps, looking for some other egress. Took the first side
street that didn't sport a No Exit sign, Angus Dr, and was delighted to
find myself on SW Marine Dr, although farther west than where I had
imagined I would be, at Barnard St. Nevertheless, very pleased with
reconnoiter as this new route provides a viable alternative to Cambie,
especially on weekends when heavy truck traffic, in particular, is at a
minimum.
Once back on Marine it was an easy sail back to UBC and
thence along Spanish Banks.
Pleased to say that the road work between
Point Grey Road and Cornwall Ave is essentially complete. There is now a
dedicated bike lane, two-way, on the north side of Point Grey, between
Macdonald and Cornwall, so one can now follow a series of almost
uninterrupted, dedicated bike paths from our place out to UBC. Spots on
surface roads must be negotiated, of course, but these places are mostly
quieter, residential streets. Back home at just after 5:00 pm to find
Coriandre enjoying sun on patio, reading. Stats for ride:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/502078519#.U3jqXj_15tk.email
Was about to jump in the shower when Nicolina and Marvinator knocked on
the door. They had come to collect Molly Mop, not knowing that Flamin'
had decided to take her along to the Okanagan and that we weren't
dog-sitting as had first been arranged. Anyway, invited them in for a
drink. Poured Marvinator and myself a G&T, made from Long Table
Cucumber Gin and he was most impressed. The Sisterhood opted for a glass
of 2013 Black Widow Pinot Grigio, 12.9%, latest offering from this
Naramata winery we like very much. We had invited Admiral Barnacle for
dinner that evening and he arrived just after I had poured the first
round of drinks. We visited for a bit before newly weds left for
downstairs. They were staying there overnight as they had tickets to
show at the Comedy Club in GI later that evening.
I jumped into shower while Chef Coriandre put
steaks on bbq, under close supervision by Ragin' Bull. Once changed, I
sliced up some tomatoes and buffalo bocconcini, garnished with fresh
basil, drizzled with Balsamic and olive oil and our salad was ready.
Earlier, Cora Lee had put three large yams in microwave to soften the
tubers and then finished them off in frying pan. We sat down to the
tasty meal, enjoying the very quaffable Spanish red, a 2011 Hécula,
100% Monastrell, or Mourvedre, a varietal we like very much, generously
contributed by Captain Haddock. Spent a goodly time chatting over course
of the meal and once dishes were cleared away we watched Woody Allen's
latest, Blue Jasmine, with Cate Blanchett. Quite liked it and think she
deserved Academy Award for Best Actress.
Admiral Barnacle toddled
home shortly thereafter. He is back on his rum runner, moored at Spruce
Harbour Marina, along the Seawall, but a kilometre, (I know distance,
exactly, according to my Garmin odometre!), east, towards Cambie Bridge,
after having been staying at his father's place, near 12th and
Macdonald, while his Dad was not well. Loaded dishwasher and then made
straight for bed as cumulative effect of ride and hootch had finally
taken their collective, combined toll!
FYI, from what I can tell, this survey ends tomorrow. A chance to support libraries and the other services you value in the context of the next capital plan. Also a chance to sound off on other things which may be bugging you - think bike lanes and Point Grey Road Brenda :-) Cheers....Paul
https://vancouver.ca/your-government/capital-plan.aspx
Wayne Sutherland 91 today at Osoyoos Doubled the first three and last two.
Patrick James Dunn Nicolina and Marvinator came by to collect Molly Mop! Told her she was taken by a coyote and they were delighted!
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